Aston Villa has arguably gone through an even bigger leadership shake-up. The headline-making departure of Monchi as president of football operations. His new advisory role with V Sports, Aston Villa’s parent company, means that he will no longer be serving in that capacity now. Athletic Club (La Liga) The Basque club named Roberto Olabe to the new role of president of football operations, starting immediately. This alteration represents a significant change of direction within the club as it tries to improve its footballing infrastructure.
Monchi’s time at Aston Villa was the second of Monchi’s two year in charge. Over the course of his tenure, he’s had plenty of significant signings, most notably having loaned in Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio last season. Most notably, there were the big money moves he secured for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho on Deadline Day earlier this month. His departure comes at a home of the ongoing restructuring phase at the club, hoping to renew its overall business model to football management.
Monchi’s Contributions and Departure
Monchi revealed his appreciation for the opportunities afforded to him during his time spent at Aston Villa. He thanked the club’s owners—Nassef Sawiris, Wes Edens and Michael Angelakis—for their trust and backing. He had some high praise for Unai Emery, their manager, whom he thanked. He thanked director of football operations Damian Vidagany for their shared service the last two years.
“I would like to thank everyone connected with Aston Villa for the support and warmth they have shown me since I joined the club, especially Unai and Damian, who I have worked especially closely with over these last two years.” – Monchi
His decision to move into an advisory role reflects a desire to continue contributing to the club’s success while allowing for a fresh perspective in the football operations department.
Roberto Olabe Takes the Helm
Roberto Olabe joins Aston Villa after previously serving as director of football at Real Sociedad. We wonder why he’s so confident. His time working with Unai Emery at Almeria in Spain puts him in the perfect place to start his new career. Olabe has important seams of experience that stretch far past Europe. Having already managed successfully in Qatar and Ecuador, he has shown the ability to adapt to various football cultures.
Olabe was touted in some quarters as the new director of football at Arsenal after Edu Gaspar’s departure. He instead chose to sign with Villa Park. His appointment is an indication of their determination to improve the London club’s strategic direction and performance on the pitch.
The incoming president has emphasized the importance of integrating players into a cohesive structure that aligns with Emery’s vision for the team. His experience working with Emery provides an advantage, as he helps make the transition on the squad less jarring.
Challenges Ahead for Aston Villa
On the field, despite their recent AR infused acquisitions, Aston Villa still has some hurdles to overcome. Tired and lazy were words used by head coach Unai Emery to describe his team’s play on the pitch while demanding the return of their identity. His comments are an encouraging sign that she has some room for improvement as the season goes on.
“We are not playing like I want.” – Unai Emery
Emery recently admitted that adjusting players to his tactical framework will take time. He was insistent that his philosophy was based around controlling the game with the ball, not without it. The club’s leadership changes come at a pivotal moment as they aim to establish a more competitive edge in their upcoming matches.
“Of course we have to adapt some players in our structure and we will need time with them, but other players, they know how we want to try to control the game with the ball; it’s with the ball, more than without the ball.” – Unai Emery
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